Electrode holder



Dec. 1s, 1942., F; J, NOWmKE .2,305,189

' ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed July 14. 1942 Patented Dec. 15, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRODE HOLDER Frank J. Nowcke, Hanover, Md. Application July 14, 1942, serial No. 450,879

(Crais-8) I 1 Claim.

This invention-relates to `electrode holders for use in arc welding or the like and more particularly to a novel handle construction for the same and constitutes an improvement of the handle construction shown in my pending application for Electrode holder, Serial No. 427,489, filed January 20, 1942.

The primary objects of' the present invention are -to provide an electrode h'blder of simplified construction, using relatively few parts thereby reducing the cost of its manufacture, and reducing the amount of metal used in its construction resulting in a saving of material and increasing the lightness in weight of the holder.

These and other detailed objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the following drawing, in Which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view taken partly in section of an electrode holder embodying my improvements; l

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the holder shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the holder comprises a pair of jaw members III, II and a removable handle guard I2. Located within the guard I2 is a connector I3 provided at its rear end with a cavity to receive the wires I 4 of an electrical conduit I5. The wires a're soldered or otherwise secured to connector I3 to make positive electrical contact therewith. The forward end of connector I3 comprises a flat slotted bar portion I6 to which the rear ends of jaws I0 and I I are secured in a manner to be described.

-The Jaw members I and II are identical and a description of one will sumce for both. Jaw member I0 comprises a -at elongated bar having a bowed portion I'I formed substantially midway thereof. `The provision of the bowed portion I'I increases the resiliency of the jaw member and also increases the amount of metal between the -forward end of the Jaw and the handle portion thereby tending to reduce the transfer of heat from the electrode to the handle.

The forward end of the Jaw In is provided with a gripping member I8 detachably locked in place by means of a screw I9. Jaw member III is further provided with a series of slots 20, 2| and 22. Slots 20 and 22 have no mechanical function in the combination and are provided to minimize the amount of metal used and to reduce the weight of the holder. Slot 2l is provided to receive a stiirup member 23 having a portion 24 inserted between the jaws which are suitably recessed at 2l to receive said portion. The stirrup member manipulated by the operator.

23 is further provided with a removable insulated handle 2B designed tofextend rearwardly over the handle of the tool where it may conveniently be It will be apparent that downward movement of the he idle from the position shown in Figure 1 will cause separation of the jaws and the electrode, not shown, may then be inserted. p A guard 2l of insulating material may be slipped over the rear ends of the jaws to lodge against the handle member of the tool, the guard being provided with a cutout or recessed portion 28 within which the member 26 may bevmoved. The guard member 21 protects the hand of the operator from the heat emanating from the electrode and may be varied in size depending on th amount of protection required.

The jaw members II and II are secured to the connector I3 by means of a pair of threaded bolts 29 and 30. As seen in Figurey 1, bar portion I6 of connector I3 s complementary to the rear portions of jaw members I0 and I I and is clamped therebetween by means of threaded bolts 29 and 311.l It is to be noted that bolt 30 is applied before handle member I2 is finally secured Whereas bolt 29 is not threaded into place until the handle member is in its Vfinal position. The countersunk head 3i of bolt 29 passes through opening 32 in handle member I2 and the free end of the bolt passes through opening 33 or said handle member. As a result of this arrange-'- ment, the clamping bolt 29 serves the double function of clamping the jaw structure to the connector member and of locking the handle member in position.

Thus it will be seen that I have described a construction well adapted to produce the various objects and advantages pointed out above. While I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will -be understood that 4the invention is not to be limited to the form shown but may be modified within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

An electrode holder comprising a pair of jaw members, a guard member, a connector within the guard member, said connector comprising a ,tubular member having a nat portion extending FRANK J. NowI'cKE. 

